ABINGDON, Va. — An alleged high-ranking MS-13 gang member has been indicted for allegedly ordering the murder of two inmates in a Wise County prison.

Victor Hernandez-Sorto has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.

An affidavit filed in the case reveals that authorities learned of the plots by monitoring prisoner phone calls at Wallens Ridge State Prison, in Big Stone Gap.

In August of 2022, officials believe Hernandez called several inmates, during which Hernandez used coded language to order two gang member inmates to kill another gang member who was serving multiple life sentences for murder, kidnapping and rape. According to the affidavit, members of MS-13 are not allowed to have sex crime convictions. On Oct. 27, 2022, that inmate was stabbed by several inmates, but survived the attack.

Prior to that, another inmate who later became a confidential source to the government was also targeted for murder, because he refused to pass along kill orders for other MS-13 inmates who had sex crime convictions.

The affidavit also notes that a search of Hernandez’s phone provided evidence corroborating authorities’ belief that Hernandez was the person recorded ordering the murders.

Hernandez has most recently been held at Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood. He will be transferred back to Virginia to answer the new charge.